Tomato stall, Aqaba, Jordan, 2011

In market photography, I will often look for the light first, and then shoot whatever it may illuminate. That proved to be the case here. This shopkeeper was checking the quality of his tomatoes, and was moving back and forth among the crates, checking them from different angles. It was not the product itself that attracted me to this situation. I was drawn instead to the striking effect of the theatrical light coming from a nearby window. It illuminates his face, stressing the intensity of his delicate and careful task. I also liked the soft texture of his shirt as well as the soft colors of the canvas backdrop that is partially folded back behind him. It is an image that speaks of care, diligence, and experience.